By Abby Carr
Joining together, pledging in solidarity to defend marriage at a historic moment in history, a group of Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant Christian clergy and leaders recently released a statement.
The Marriage Solidarity Statement, titled “We Stand in Solidarity to Defend Marriage and the Family and Society Founded Upon Them,” was drafted by deacon Keith Fournier, editor of Catholic Online and chairman of Common Good Alliance; and Mat Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel Action. It was vetted among other Christian pastors and leaders and signed by leading Christian clergy and leaders collectively representing tens of millions of Christians.
Acknowledging that differences exist between the signers on important matters of religious doctrine and practice, they declare that “on the matter of marriage, we stand in solidarity.” The statement affirms “that marriage and family have been inscribed by the Divine Architect into the order of creation.”
It continues, “Marriage is ontologically between one man and one woman, ordered toward the union of the spouses, open to children and formative of family. Family is the first vital cell of society; the first church, first school, first hospital, first economy, first government and first mediating institution of our social order. The future of a free and healthy society passes through marriage and the family.”
As the Supreme Court will soon release opinions on two marriage cases involving California’s Proposition 8 and the Federal Defense of Marriage Act, the statement affirms that marriage predates government and cannot be redefined by civil institutions, including the United States Supreme Court.
Read more at http://www.charismanews.com/us/39965-christian-pastors-sign-solidarity-statement-to-defend-marriage